S80: Electrical 13 Pin towbar electrics

[KJR]

Has anybody experience of fitting towbar electrics to a recent s80 or v70....what in reality is the difference between a car specific control unit and a universal unit? ...I am thinking of a thule towbar fitted at an independent but fitting volvo electrics ...I am not convinced by the universal unit they want to fit! The price for the towbar is less than half of the volvo price in Spain but it is the same! In the Uk it is muuuuch less for the volvo bar at least in FRF !! Thanks for reading.

[kenny]

Go for the volvo kit end of.

[GrantA]

Originally Posted by kenny

Go for the volvo kit end of.

+1 on that, the electrics fitted with my tow bar were fitted by an "experience" auto electrician who basically cocked it up because of the way he "broke" into the car's wiring, this was before I bought the car. The problem was the boot door was open when he wired up the brake lights and, as we all know, the brake lights are normally the led strips each side of the boot door and the high level brake light strip but when the door is opened the side lights on either side of the car come on as warning / brake lights. The result was when the boot was open the trailer brake lights worked but when the boot was closed they didn't.

It took me several emails to "Towingelectrics Ltd" who manufactured the electrical control box before they solved the problem but only after they very kindly contacted Volvo for information on the correct wiring for a Phase 3 Volvo XC70.

As Kenny said, "Go for the Volvo kit end of" and save yourself a potential load of hassle.

[PEGE63]

Originally Posted by kenny

Go for the volvo kit end of.

Agree, should not cost much extra, did Volvo route as I wanted to ensure that 4C operated properly when towing but also know that the Volvo wiring for example will ensure that reversing sensors are switched off properly when towing.

[KJR]

I think you are all right and will go for the Volvo electrics...you have confirmed what I expected regarding the universal kit. Many thanks to you all.

[clivea]

Had mine done via the Volvo dealer and it wasn't much more expensive than a local mobile, plus I got the confidence that it would work, and it did.

[surrey_man]

Very easy to fit x6 m12 blots and volvo loom just plugs in , make sure you remove bumper makes life so much easier

[surrey_man]

Oops sorry it could be different am in wrong form lol I want the p2 bit

[egor]

Also most new caravans are being fitted with LED lights which the Volvo electronics acknowledge and therefore you don't get false warnings about bulbs being out due to the led drawing a low current.

[KJR]

Originally Posted by egor

Also most new caravans are being fitted with LED lights which the Volvo electronics acknowledge and therefore you don't get false warnings about bulbs being out due to the led drawing a low current.

I have opted for a Thule bar and Volvo electrics....the electrics are coming from FRF...very good price. The bar is to be supplied and fitted (along with the electrics) by a local independent who works for the various dealers in the area. He will also provide me with all the papers for the bar to allow me to have it added to the Ficha Tecnica...Spanish log book. Total cost around 500 euro...about half the price of Volvo. This excludes any software I may need so I have to allow for that. You wouldn´t believe how complicated it is fitting a towbar legally here!! The caravan is a 2010 Dethleffs Camper 500TK but it has bulbs not leds..Many thanks to everybody and Merry Christmas.